retractable walls of the DeLuca Forum, thebuilding is a one-of-a-kind venue.”All catering is provided by the on-siteSteenbock’s on Orchard, which preparesreception service or full meal serviceusing only the freshest available local andregional ingredients.

Madison Masonic Center
www.madisonmasoniccenter.org

Madison Masonic Center, a historical
landmark, has been a Madison standby for
gatherings for 91 years.

According to Lisa Zimmerman, the venue’s events manager, over the years it has
hosted many types of people and events,
from boxing matches and the Dalai Lama
to community group fundraisers and
music performances.

“We are a great location for conventions,with multiple breakout spaces,” she said,and added fundraisers, cocktail parties andseminars are also accommodated. “Ourbuilding has a lot of vintage woodworks,marble and columns decorating its floorand hallways.”Among the on-site spaces that accom-modate groups from 30 to 1,000 peopleare the auditorium, a 7,800-square-footballroom, a cocktail room with a full barand a fireplace for use during winter, and asmall classroom space.

“We have our own full kitchen on-site
with a preferred caterer that can provide
an assortment of meals,” said Zimmerman, who added the caterer could provide
cocktail reception fare, full meals (plated or
buffet) or food stations.

Olbrich Botanical Gardenswww.olbrich.org

Olbrich Botanical Gardens is a popular
public garden that attracts nearly 300,000
visitors annually.

“Groups that rent Olbrich’s meeting
rooms can enjoy a stroll in the 16-acre outdoor gardens, which look awesome in every season, for no additional fee,” said Patti
Jorenby, the venue’s rental coordinator.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens, which ac-commodates corporate meetings, staff re-treats and more, has three spaces availablefor rent, including the Evjue Commons,which has one wall of glass windows anddoors that look out to the gardens andcan seat 150 guests for a meal; the atrium,which can seat up to 64 people for adinner or event; and the upstairs meet-ing room, which accommodates 20 to 25people seated.

“For evening rental groups, the Bolz
Conservatory, a 10,000-square-foot tropical
garden, can be added to a room rental for a
nominal fee,” Jorenby said. “Although food
and beverage are not available in the Bolz

In the morning, attendees can
stop by Madison Sourdough
Cafe ( www.madisonsourdough.
com) 916 Williamson St. for a
coffee and eggs diablo or French
toast, among other tasty dishes.

The cafe is open for lunch, too,
and those craving just a snack
can stop by for macaroons,
sorbet and other sweet treats.

1252 Williamson St., a fair-trade fashion purveyor specializing in women’s clothing, can
also be found on Willy Street.

At the end of a visit in this
fun neighborhood, hungry
groups can stop by Grampa’s
Pizzeria ( www.grampaspizze
ria.com) 1374 Williamson St.
for a delicious pie. Among the
pizzas on the menu is the Pinoc-chio, which has tomato sauce,
cheese, sausage, fennel and
Anaheim chiles, and the Goom-ba, with garlic cream sauce,
cheese, mushrooms and herbs.
Grampa’s menu also features
soups, salads and appetizers
including a cheese board, olives,
scallops and calamari.

— Carolyn Blackburn

HIP HOODWilliamson StreetWilliamson Street ( www.visitwillystreet.com), dubbed “Willy Street” bylocals, is a funky neighborhood filled with bars, restaurants, live-musicvenues and more. According to the Greater Madison CVB, this hiphood, which mixes new urbanism architecture and handsome historicbuildings, is a great place for groups to explore and enjoy.